Kristi Clay joins Sword as Chief Payor Officer

Sword Health is welcoming Kristi Clay as our new SVP and Chief Payor Officer. Kristi will lead Sword’s health plan, unions, partnerships and public sector segments, strengthening and scaling our impact across the payor ecosystem.

Kristi brings more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience, combining deep expertise in the payer market with a mission-driven approach that aligns perfectly with Sword’s ethos. She spent the last decade at Optum, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Payor Solutions, where she led enterprise growth teams serving some of the largest national health plans.

Earlier in her career, Kristi held leadership roles across care management, benefits administrations, behavioral health, and the provider sector. Her background spans growth, client management, partnerships, and consulting, giving her a 360° view of the healthcare system.

Kristi shared her excitement about joining Sword:

I am in awe of the Sword team’s commitment to creating and delivering cutting-edge AI Care solutions that superpower clinicians and improve the lives of the populations our clients serve. I feel privileged to combine my market experience with that of the Sword Health team to continue to advance this shared commitment.

AI is reshaping healthcare, and health plans are under growing pressure to keep up. Employers want innovation that cuts costs, members expect the same seamless experience they get in other parts of their lives and regulators are raising the bar on equity and outcomes. Sword was made to help meet those demands - and with Kristi’s arrival, we’re better positioned to bring our solutions to millions more people.